Guwahati: Twenty-eight of 37 industries inspected in Meghalaya’s Byrnihat industrial belt over the past two years were found to be violating pollution-control norms, the state government informed the Legislative Assembly.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma provided the information during the Assembly’s autumn session while responding to a question from legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit on steps being taken to address industrial pollution in Byrnihat.
According to the government, industrial activity remains one of the major sources of pollution in the area. A CSIR-NEERI emission inventory and source-apportionment study identified industries, road dust, vehicle emissions and residential sources among the key contributors to air pollution.
The study also found that pollution from the wider regional airshed covering parts of Meghalaya and Assam contributes to the overall pollution burden in Byrnihat.
Sangma said the government has prohibited the establishment of new Red Category industries within the notified Byrnihat area. Expansion of existing Red and Orange Category industries has also been restricted.
New industries classified under the Orange Category are required to adopt cleaner technologies and fuels, the government said.
The state also reported an improvement in air-quality readings during the first seven months of 2026. Average PM10 concentration declined from 106.2 micrograms per cubic metre in January to 75.7 micrograms per cubic metre in July.
PM2.5 levels also dropped during the same period, from 52.6 to 38.6 micrograms per cubic metre.
The government said action is being taken against industries found to be non-compliant with pollution-control requirements. Measures are also being implemented under the Byrnihat City Action Plan to address pollution and improve environmental conditions in the industrial belt.